Welcome to Boxwood Cottage!

So glad that you found me! My blog is about everything I love like gardening, decorating my home & garden and crafting. Although I'm from Germany I write my blog in English so that hopefully every visitor can read it. Hope you'll stay a while and will leave me a comment so that I know that you were here! xoxo Carola

Thursday, July 11, 2013

5th annual Where Bloggers Create party ~ Boxwood Cottage Studio 2013

Prolog: This is a long post with over 30 photos so you better grab a cup of tea or or a mug of coffee and make yourself comfy now ;-)

Welcome back to Boxwood Cottage Studio dear blogging friends and readers - new and old - and to the 5th annual Where bloggers create party hosted by Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage blog - see her event button in my right side bar. It's also my 5th time to participate and every year when Karen announces the party date being in the middle of July I think oh no I won't make it this time, there is so much to do in the garden right now and it's too warm up there in my attic studio under the roof top. But alas I did it again since the weather wasn't really hot this summer until now and I started by making space to create a new corner and studio vignettes, as always vintage inspired which means I mix up vintage flea- and antique market finds with new modern furniture mostly from Ikea. I brought my willow day bed from my studio down in the garden where I also created a new garden corner with it. In Germany there is saying "2 Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen", means with just one change I made two spaces better which I just love! So now you want to see it and I'm going to start by showing you my new favorite studio corner and then all the cleaned up and rearragend rest of my studio. The garden will have to wait until my next post though.

In that corner under the pitch of the roof I had my daybed before which I didn't really use there apart from putting stuff on it when I created. Now I got my white Alex drawers from Ikea out of a hidden dark studio corner where it was before and put it there under the pitch of the roof and I instantly loved it there, where it is reachable so much better when I sit on that vintage chair at my studio table and create. The drawers are all filled with papers like vintage wall paper and sheet music paper which I often need in my creations.

See the blue evening sky in the picture above? That is the best thing about my my studio that I have 3 huge double attic windows up there giving me lot's of natural light.

I also put my vintage suitcase collection there under one of the windows and I really like them there better as in the corner I hade them before. They are mostly filled with Christmas decorations.

Above is a close up of my Alex with a vintage typrewriter (old time writing) vignette on top and my black chalkboard (ex kitchen cupboard door) behind it.

The clipboard is one of the London finds from my vacation there last month and I typed and printed out a reading chart to clip on it.

Following is a close up of the vignette on the small Lack table beside of Alex. There is my stamp caroussel for example and a vintage shoe last ( my paternal grand father was a shoemaker) and you can also spot the paper maché pumpkins lying in the white drawer which are waiting to get painted for some autumnal vignettes soon.

Here is a close up of my vintage flea market find suitcases, some are old leather others are coated cardboard. Of course I had to put one of my vintage black top hats on top of the stack:

Not to forget a close up of my favorite suitcase I got a few years ago in a friendship swap with Ann Perry of the Tin Rabbit in Texas. I simply love how Ann decorated the inside of the suitcase:

And in case you'd like to see it I also took a close up of the vintage black typewriter vignette (this is one of 3 vintage travel typewriters that I own).

After the close up above here is a wider view of that corner with the table I use to create at:

And another close up of some of my old scissors which I'm especially fond of, sitting in a vintage glass flower frog. The soldered domed glass pendant you might also spot there I made for my oncle recently and it's filled with pictures of my auntie which passed away not too long ago and her wedding ring also fitted between the two domed glasses:

From here we move a bit farther to the right under the next rooftop window where I have one of my Expedit shelves for studio storage and an old black train light as well as an old black telephone ( yes I adore old/vintage black things!) :

Let's have a closer look at the shelf now. In the left wire basket I store my collection of vintage postcards and cabinet cards:

Here comes a wider view of this area where you'll also see part of my comfy old studio sofa and my laptop on which I type this right now:

followed by an even wider view of one half of my studio:

In this area I have another Expedit shelf which my faithful blogging friends and readers will sure remember from older blog posts:

This area also is a bit more colorful and contains part of my collection of vintage sewing machines

as well as my aqua colored Räskog supply cart who quickly became my most important studio helper who is always handy and in reach:

On the opposite side of this studio shelf are two of my studio desks and another one in the left hand corner under the window which is my soldering table. As you might have guessed I also love to hang pretty things from the wooden beams at my studio ceiling like the vintage inspired umbrella, the honeycomp paper ball or the huge wooden scissors:

You might have also observed by now that I'm no minimalist, by no means really ha ha. I love eye candy and I need most of my pretty things displayed around me for my viewing pleasure and inspiration:

The white painted printers tray I moved from the corner unter the pitch of my roof top over to this wooden Ikea desk and I like it much better here right now. This time I also cleaned up the space under my desk especially for Alexandra ;-) In the wooden tray on top of the vintage travel suitcase under the desk I store my jewelry making stuff and the suitcase is filled with paper maché boxes:

I can easily move the white tray away if I should need more space on top of the desk:

The washi tape holder stands on the desk shelf and under it is one of my recent creations a soldered bug in an old book under glass - inspired my idol Sally Jean Aleander:

At the left side of this desk stands my vintage spinning wheel on top of another small Expedit shelf:

and farther left is this attic window of the north house side over my soldering desk. Since I love birds and everything about them I also have a bird/nest garland hanging in the studio window and a bird cage hanging from the ceiling. The glittered nest garland is one of my treasured garlands from my talented friend Madai of Butterfly cottage in Florida. The vintage postcard fabric banner is a creation of my friend Anita who sews the most beautiful things.

Off for a little a break .... no just joking can't leave you now ;-)

I like how I can see the huge scissors in the studio mirror reflection seen above :)

This vignette stands on a tiny set of drawers which sits on my glass desk and shows some of my soldered shadow boxes. You can right click and superzise all of my photos btw if you'd like to see even more details. I also have a collection of vintage rulers displayed here in an old milk jug:

Phew this is a long post but don't fear you almost made it through it, because this is the last studio wall/corner that I want to share with you today

As the top hat addict that I am of course my studio dolls get little top hats too :)

In the last photo above is my framed collage of waxed nature finds which I created in my sisters atelier last fall.

Well I think that I should better stop here for today because there are so many more awesome studios out there in blogland waiting for you to get discovered at this great inspirational party. I'd like to thank Karen for hosting it again and everyone of you who made it until here and I would love to hear from you so that I can visit you back.

74 comments:

Hi SweetieYour studio as always is one of my favorites and I was tickled to see it up first!Love love love the huge scissors and of course all your top hats. Those windows are the envy of every studio owner! Your vignettes are so wonderful and we are birds of a feather as far as layering... I need to see my stuff also in order to create.Wishing you a wonderful evening and thank you for the lovely tour again this yearBlessingsRE

Hello Carola!I am just so inspired by your beautiful space! All that light and those notions and goodies had me drooling! I must take a much slower perusal of your photos and see each detail. You have a wonderful space, and I see so much to love!Thanks so much for the tour!Blessings,Doni

I am always inspired and amazed whenever I visit your studio Carola... I love how it is so bright with those awesome ceiling windows. What a wonderful place to create in! I found myself smiling wide while taking in all your photos; your mix of vintage and new is very cool - there is so much to see and admire. Thank you for the incredible tour!

Beautiful space, amazing light! I love all your wonderful vignettes, and creative ways of displaying your supplies. I think the flower frog/scissor holder must be my favorite!I shall save this post as reference, because I am moving my creative space...you have so many great ideas here!Thank you for the tour! I loved it!!

Hello my dear Carola, I always adored your studio and can well remember my first visit some years ago, before I even had a blog myself. There is so much to discover in each and every corner of your space. I love all your vintage collections and your awesome variety of creative supplies. Your waxed nature finds are just gorgeous. It's funny that we both created an eye chart for our studios.Alexandra must have been pleased that you cleaned the space underneath your desk especially for her, lol. If I ever come visit you, you better check if your super large pair of scissors is still on its place after I have left, lol.Have a great weekend!Viele liebe Grüße und hugs,Julia

Ive always loved seeing pictures of your beautiful world. YOur studio is just perfectly wonderful! I think I could occupy myself in there for days!! YOu should be featured in the magazing where women create and not just in blogland girlfriend!have a great weekendxoxovivian

Hi Carola!I LOVE the vintage feel of your studio! The typewriter, suitcases and telephone look right at home :) Great job of making the best use of your attic space!best wishes from fellow German blogger,Duni

I adore your studio space and have enjoyed pinning many items from it Pinterest over the years. I could spend hours here swooning over your beautiful treasures. I am also glad to see you also like Ikea furniture for housing items. A beautiful place!

I am telling you, I could come right over and look at every single thing in your fantastic space. Look at all that light, love it.I am touring this year and not joining in, not enough time to get my space ready. Each year I love touring all the special, beautiful spaces.Thanks for sharing today.Michele

I especially love the old typewriter and the spinning wheel. I have an old spinning wheel, but I have no room to put it up. I sure enjoyed your blog and space. I would love to have a visit from you too! We have lots in common!

Carola I never tire of looking at your wonderful studio! Those sky lights are fabulous, although If I had them here in Phoenix, I would roast alive!! Thank you so much for joining the party once again. It is always a pleasure!xo,Karen

YOur room is wonderful. Love all your shelves and little wall cubbies for holding wonderful things. It looks so nice. You must have a great deal of creative ideas going on in this room. Great post.Blessings,Debbie

Im just in love with the space, the walls and the windows are just making it so dreamy, and great light to the whole area. You have tons of great storage and display pieces, and the old suit cases sure caught my attention (you displayed them so nicely).

Really beautiful space, thanks you so much for sharing it (I really enjoyed looking through all your pictures)

Hi Carola yes indeed this is one of my favorite stops! So much to see and you have arranged all of your little details so beautifully. Like Julia's I love your eye chart and those waxed nature pieces are stunning!I love how you have married vintage, antique and modern so tastefully!I've truly been inspired once again!I also love to visit your beautiful garden too!Hugs,Suzywww.suziqusthreadworks.blogspot.com

I remember your studio from previous years because of those great windows, Carola! Such a pleasure to have all that natural light, I'm sure. You have such a great space and I love everything you have displayed. Such an inspirational room to create in!

Wow....all I can say is wow! I only wish I could find such goodies here in Arizona, USA. I used to live in Essen for a couple of years in the early 80's, but I know your area and it was much prettier than Essen.

WOW! Where to start! You have a wonderful photographer's studio set up! (slanted windows giving natural light was the only way to take pics in the olden days!) The cubbies with little treasures, the vintage touches, wow! Thank you for sharing! Hugs! http://connell-crafts.blogspot.ca/

Oh my, love your studio, it is roomy and there are so many lovely vintage items and it is hard to pick a favorite. What great windows too! I enjoyed my tour and have gleaned many ideas for use in my studio. This is my first year to participate so I hope you will visit me too.

Carol, your room is fabulous and is my favourite so far. I'm rather jealous of your windows as I only have one dormer window so the lack of natural light is a problem. You're beautifully organised too, and obviously like Ikea! There's so much lovely stuff in your room to look at, I'm going to bookmark this post so I can come back and have a longer look around. I'm sure you must spend many happy hours crafting in there. I'll look forward to reading your posts in the future.

I just LOVE your studio! It's like walking into a candy store. Love all the vintage items and how you've used them to decorate. I just love so much about your room. I need to come back and visit again to take more of it in. All I can say is: Wow!!

Your creative space is like a museum. I could stroll through it all day long and still not see every wonderful item. I'm so in awe! I'm sharing your post on my Once Upon a Firefly FB page for others to enjoy.

OH Carola, love your studio and certainly understand why you love the natural light! Layers?! Oh yes!!! Tophats?! Of course! Romeo still wants one his size....have to work on that one ;) And the soldered book with the moth....OH MY GOSH!!!! Absolutely fabulous!!!!!! Your studio is so inspiring, I would probably create non-stop and never come out ;) Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Romeo and I certainly enjoyed our visit!!

Oh my goodness, Carola, your studio is breath-taking! So many wonderful and inspiring things to take in...I love all your collections and displays. And those windows! So much natural light to create in; what a joy for you! My only wish is that I had found your blog sooner!

Hi Carola, visiting from the 'where bloggers create' party. Finally finding time to visit a few more. Your studio is just fantastic! Love the wonderful windows. The giant scissors are so fun and I love old suitcases. I have a stack of only 3 so far in my family room. Hope to add to it. Seeing your scissors reminds me that I picked up a vintage pair last year. Wondering where they are? The top hats are so fun and I love all of your vintage finds! Happy to be following you. I have a link party, Share Your Cup Thursday. It's all about sharing what makes you happy. I would love if you shared some time!hugs,Jann

Hi Carola! It is wonderful to walk through your studio and see all the amazing things you have around you. SO much inspiration in your studio that I just know it must be a joy to work in. So full of light too! Really, really beautiful my friend.many hugs...

Thanks SO much for the tour of your wonderful work space - I can imagine the creativity that must positively flow sitting there - those scissors are gorgeous - that aqua cart is AMAZING - I love every single detail I have to say - just gorgeous!!!!!Definitely your newest follower :)Much love from MontrealSuzan

Loving your Studio Spaces and your Collections, especially the Vintage Suitcases! And those overhead Windows... I would LOVE to have such a Bright Space as this to Create... alas, in the Arizona Desert I would cook under windows that large so they wouldn't be practical in our Climate. *winks*

What a great tour of your fab space! And I am so envious of your huge windows! They remind me of one of the apartments I lived in while in Germany. It was an attic apartment and ALL the windows were like yours (not nearly as big though!).

You have such a creative space, I think I would have a hard time choosing to stay in there all day, or in your beautiful garden....guess I would find time for both!

Thanks for stopping by - such a nice surprise and always so happy to hear from you!

Always a pleasure to see your studio. There is an Ikea within easy driving range of my home and I like to get there early and have some breakfast - free coffee! The spacious dining room is all windows over looking treetops. My 1st stop after breakfast is always back downstairs to AS IS.

About Me

I started blogging in September 2005 first only about my garden and home/interior decorations, then I discovered the world of art & craft blogs and was so captivated that I had to get involved. I learned a lot of Mixed Media and Altered Art Techniques and to master the art of soldering which opened a whole new and fascinating world to me. Meanwhile Boxwood Cottage is simply about everything I love, especially all things crafty as well as flea marketing & antiquing, interior design with old & vintage objects and gardening of course oh and not to forget I love friendship swaps. Since 2011 I'm vegan and quite passionate about it, but that has the potential to fill a whole other blog, for which I don't have the time right now and there are already so many vegan blogs to find in the www. If you like to contact me just email me to
Carolinchen39athotmaildotcom